Dec. 11, 2012
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Jerry Brown, 25: December 8, 2012 / AP file photo

by Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY Sports

by Brent Schrotenboer, USA TODAY Sports

DALLAS -- The Dallas Cowboys arrived at the church by bus, SUV, Mercedes, Bentley and BMW. They dressed in their Sunday best on a Tuesday, each looking somber as they filed into the private memorial service for their teammate, Jerry Brown.

"The world is a poorer place without Jerry Brown Jr., but it will always be a richer place because he was in it," said the program for the service. "He will live in our memories forever."

During the service, they heard a passage of death and resurrection from the book of 1 Corinthians. They also witnessed a stunning display of forgiveness: At her request, Brown's mother, Stacey Jackson, arrived at the memorial with the player accused of causing her son's death: Josh Brent.

They attended the hour-long service together and listened to a message of comfort from pastor Tony Evans, the team's chaplain.

Afterward, Brent and the Brown family were whisked away by van. Team owner Jerry Jones rolled down his window to tell reporters he had no comment because of the "sanctity of the service."

"Rest in Peace Jerry Brown," said the cover of the program, which featured a photo of Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware running off the field holding a Brown jersey after Sunday's game.

Brent, 24, and Brown, 25, were friends, roommates and teammates. They were driving in Irving, Texas, early Saturday morning when Brent skidded and hit a curb on the service road of Texas State Highway 114. The car flipped, killing Brown.

Police said they arrived at the scene to find Brent trying to pull Brown from the wreck. Police said Brown was unresponsive and later was pronounced dead.

Brent was arrested on a charge of intoxication manslaughter after police determined he had been driving drunk. He was released from jail Sunday on a $500,000 bond.